A man who has seven family members resting at a cemetery in Harrow has been devastated after “vandals” allegedly damaged several graves.
Gary Ward, who lives in Watford, said that he has repaired damages to his dad’s grave multiple times only for it to be “smashed” again months after.
He has been visiting Wealdstone Cemetery, in Kenmore Avenue, nearly every week following his dad’s death in 2020 - but he visited other family members since he was 18.
To his shock, over the past few years he has seen angel wings knocked off a statue, “beheaded” memorial stones and crucifixes knocked down or moved away.
Mr Ward said: “I go up every week. Usually it’s just something that has been moved – flowers pulled off or a crucifix not where they’re supposed to be.”
“One time at dad’s grave, artificial flowers were put somewhere else.”.
After noticing this being a reoccurring problem since burying his dad, he alerted both Metropolitan Police and Harrow Council about the alleged vandalism.
There have been other instances of people sunbathing during a heatwave or dogs urinating on graves, making it difficult to mourn.
He continued: “The first time I contacted police, they did look into it but said without CCTV they can’t do anything. But they did increase their patrol at least.
“The vandalism is still ongoing and it doesn’t make a difference.
“A camera will at least make a good deterrent. I think people would at least think twice.”
His campaign to introduce additional CCTV has attracted Wealdstone North ward Cllr Phillip O’Dell, who said that matters were not being taken seriously.
He said: “[There’s] also the matter that the cemetery is not always locked at night.
“I been told by the Council the gates should be locked every night and that dogs should be kept on a lead. I witnessed myself dogs loose in the cemetery.”
A Met spokesperson said there is "nothing to suggest" the headstones were intentionally vandalised but added they can't "totally rule out vandalism".
The Met added in previous years there were reports of falling trees or branches damaging other headstones.
Patrols will continue in Byron Park and Wealdstone Cemetery.
A Harrow Council spokesperson said: “We have provided support and advice to Mr Ward including repairing sections of the fence.
“We are currently reviewing our CCTV locations and this location will be considered as part of this review.”
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